U.S. Cuts Visa Service After Russia Orders Staff Reduced
- Issuance of non-immigrant visas to be suspended from Aug. 23
- Embassy blames decision on Putin’s order to reduce staffing
Where U.S. Relations With Russia Stand Right Now
This article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. said it’s slashing visa services in Russia after the Kremlin ordered it to cut two-thirds of staff at its embassy and consulates as relations between the former Cold War rivals spiraled.
All non-immigrant visa operations will be halted from Aug. 23 and will resume “on a greatly reduced scale” from Sept. 1, with applicant interviews conducted solely in Moscow, the U.S. embassy said in a website statement. Non-immigrant visa interviews at the U.S. consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok “are suspended until further notice,” according to the statement.